Chapter 174

“……”

I kept my poker face intact, tilting my head ever so slightly to the side.

It was as if I was deliberately showing that I had no clue what was going on.

“Are you referring to the results?”

Jinoru saying something similar saved me; otherwise, hearing this for the first time would have surely shocked me by now. In a way, it felt like a preemptive inoculation for me.

However, Serpina’s lips curved into an amused smile, as if she found my expression incredibly entertaining.

…She’s breathtakingly beautiful. Honestly, I wanted to commend myself for not falling under her spell—she’s that gorgeous. I swear, without a hint of exaggeration.

“Whether you’re naturally smooth-talking or genuinely clueless… I admit it. Reading your expressions is harder than anything else I’ve ever encountered.”

Serpina truly was an enigmatic figure. Another ruler, Lin Brance, also had a similar style of speech and attitude—but if Lin had addressed me this way, it would have been exhausting. I’m confident I wasn’t alone in thinking that.

But with Serpina, there’s no such aversion. Instead, her words draw you in. Before you know it, you realize she’s left a mark on your heart.

The most important thing? This didn’t feel bad at all.

“The first rebellion—I vaguely thought you were privy to inside information. The rebels hiding like mice were easily caught once their tails were stepped on. You might not remember, but during the strategy meeting, it wasn’t strange for you to deflect when rebels were lurking. As for the matter involving Jenis, since he’s your roommate, tracking him by scent makes sense. Though how exactly you came across his scent is a mystery… it’s not impossible.”

“But gradually, your ‘advice’ started encompassing things no single person could possibly know. Declining several alliances and specifically choosing an alliance with the Brance Army—or knowing that seeking an alliance with them would put my life in danger—these are things that couldn’t be deduced purely from ‘information.’ How could anyone predict whether the Brance Army would even show up?”

“……”

“So initially—I thought perhaps you see the future.”

Serpina said this with golden eyes sparkling.

Seeing the future.

Because of this, one naturally knows the outcome of events. Jinoru once thought I could see the future too, partly because he already knew magic existed through his adoptive daughter Reika.

Up to this point,

I was reasoning along the same lines as Jinoru—but…

“But. Assuming you can see the future raises quite a few contradictions.”

Unconsciously, my gaze was drawn to her moist lips again.

Maybe from the moment we kissed, I wondered if my soul hadn’t already been captured by her. My heart twitched uncomfortably.

“After all, if you could see the future, why bother beating around the bush? If you know the future, you’d just make prophecies, right? There’d be no need to say things like ‘it’s highly likely’ or ‘it’s estimated.’ But you don’t confidently express everything except the results. It reminded me of Swen—you and Yooi seem similar in how you theorize about why certain outcomes occur. And—”

“At critical moments of advice… Swen, I noticed a flicker of surprise in your eyes. No matter how I looked at it, that wasn’t the behavior of someone who foresees the future and then prophesizes it. Rather… it seemed like you only grasped the situation at that exact moment.”

“!!!”

At that moment, Serpina whispered with another smile playing on her lips.

“Such a cute expression, Swen. Exactly like now. Hehehe…♥”

—Serpina had gone a step further than Jinoru.

She had come closer than anyone else to understanding my essence—the power of “Divinity 100.”

Serpina’s in-game stats were undoubtedly S-rank.

But I hadn’t expected her insight to be this sharp. After all, her intelligence stat was lower than Jinoru’s 99.

While her overall status was obviously far superior to mine…

This world quantified intelligence as a stat called “wisdom.”

She was truly extraordinary. Serpina.

Maintaining control over an overwhelming national power despite constant rebellions across the Northern Continent—she was clearly no ordinary ruler.

And…

After listening to her question in silence, she quietly gazed at my expression with a gentle smile for several minutes before speaking.

“Swen. As I said, you don’t need to confirm whether I’m correct. I won’t force you to answer. Whatever ability it is, I assume there’s a reason you haven’t told me. And I understand that my story leans heavily on speculative theories based on ancient myths.”

“…”

“Thus, consider this merely a whimsical indulgence on my part. Just listen. And…”

Then,

Serpina slowly caressed my cheek with her white hand.

“If it’s true that you only perceive outcomes, then you’ve walked countless tightropes alone—dozens, maybe hundreds of times. The advice you gave Lin and Yuri probably went unheard, fading into thin air like echoes. Even if the results later proved you right, well… I doubt they had the capacity to accept such an extraordinary ability.”

“…”

“You must have lacked someone who understood your heart. Haven’t you felt lonely?”

As I felt her touch, I met her gaze.

Her voice and eyes trembled slightly as she spoke.

“I know loneliness well. Carrying secrets you can’t share with anyone… it’s an excruciatingly solitary endeavor.”

“Miss Serpina…”

“That’s why I worry about you, Swen. While some might call this favoritism, you’re quite special to me.”

Though I hadn’t felt lonely, I did feel somewhat stifled.

Frankly, I was more concerned about her.

‘She seems to bear something unspeakable.’

That must be why she can say such things.

The occasional fragility beneath her charismatic presence—it must stem from the weight of whatever burden she carries.

Lost in these thoughts, I began to feel drowsy from her soothing voice.

“…Swen.”

“What is it, my lord?”

She slowly distanced herself and spoke in a calmer tone.

“If what you say is true—that you only perceive outcomes—I’d like you to consider my opinion this time.”

“The final decision rests solely with our lord. I merely offer counsel. How could I presume to ‘consider’ the lord’s opinion? Moreover… I honestly don’t understand this talk about foreseeing results. I’m just an ordinary strategist who draws conclusions based on current and past situations.”

“Is that modesty coming from a man who claims to drop rocks from the sky after performing a ritual?”

“I simply read the movements of the stars—a trivial skill.”

“Hmm?”

Serpina chuckled with amusement.

To avoid betraying my promise to Luna, I deflected her advances with appropriate responses. Her faint smile returned as she shifted the topic back to the main subject.

“I believe the rebels will rise soon.”

Even though the probability is low.

Since I ultimately only perceive outcomes and deduce accordingly—I couldn’t definitively refute her prediction.

“Of course, my judgment is based solely on your advice: ‘It’s inappropriate to move the occupying forces.'”

“…”

“What do you think?”

I bowed deeply and replied.

“There’s no need for further deliberation, my lord. Once you decide, I will follow.”

“I see.”

Does she have some secret source that gives her such certainty?

Given her position on the throne and her history battling ghosts of older brothers, perhaps her instincts regarding rebellion have become exceptionally sharp.

Regardless,

As always, this was ultimately a matter for the lord to decide—not the strategist.

“Swen. As I’ve said, I don’t intend to pressure you for answers. You’re very much to my liking. I don’t want to pry into what you wish to hide. Whether you choose to speak now or never in your lifetime—it doesn’t matter. Regardless, I will always trust and believe in you. And I will certainly—”

Her face drew close to my ear.

A refreshing yuzu fragrance accompanied her blonde hair brushing against my cheek.

“…when the time comes, I’ll win your heart.”

“…”

“Haven’t I said it? Beyond master and servant, the current me is nothing more than a woman who wishes to impress you. Hehehe…♥”

Watching her blush and look at me affectionately, I realized…

This is dangerous.

Really.

No joke…

My heart was genuinely wavering. My pulse raced relentlessly, hormones swirling violently in my mind.

“…Stay focused.”

Though I repeated this to myself, I couldn’t deny the intense attraction I felt toward her.

Certainly, her feminine charm—the pleasant yuzu scent when she’s near, her golden eyes, porcelain skin, commanding presence within her uniform, and her soothing voice—all contributed to her allure. But these weren’t the core reasons for my attraction.

Beneath her seemingly strong exterior lies a delicate sensitivity akin to glass.

I found myself wanting to protect her from the sidelines.

This was a first.

—For the first time, I genuinely wanted to protect another ruler besides Lady Luna.